The sound of steady footsteps resounded on the smooth floor, far and near, reflected off the walls, echoing in the depths of the seemingly empty Temple of Collins. There are no tall statues to worship or mystical symbols to inspire awe in the hearts of believers, only a small natural fountain that gently spews out from a small circular pool in the middle of the floor, surrounded by skylights that allow the fountain to shine from the first rays of the morning to the last rays of the evening, creating a small rainbow between the jumping droplets.

The footsteps stopped behind an old man who was pausing in contemplation in front of the pool. The old man's white hair was almost the same color as the white robe on her body, and her figure was still tall and straight.

"Sage. The visitor addressed respectfully in a deep voice.

"You'll probably never learn to call me by name, Sean, I know it's a lot more complicated to pronounce than your name, but can't you try to pronounce it at least once?"

"Sage. Sean Fletcher repeated in an unchanged tone.

“...... My lord. Felicity replied helplessly, turning around. She had eyes as blue as Lake Starnestle, and even though her face was still wrinkled and drooping from age, those eyes seemed to remain eternally young.

"As you may already know, Baie Young, a knight of the god of water...... He was no longer blessed by Ni'o and had lost his trace. Sean Fletcher's tone was calm, it didn't seem like a big deal, but Felicity knew that if he really thought so, he wouldn't be here.

"No, I don't know, why do you think I know?" said Felicity, walking to the bench facing the fountain on one side of the room, "Come, sir, sit with me." ”

Fletche walked over to her, but still stood straight.

“...... Is the armor too hard to sit down?" Felicity asked sympathetically, "If you have to insist on wearing that layer of iron at all times, I heard in Ston Butch that the elves have a trick to make metal thinner and more flexible, maybe we can ask them if they can teach us the same, in the name of the Sage of the Water God, maybe they ......"

Fletche sat down straight.

Felicity nodded in satisfaction: "Now, let's talk about this paladin...... Bye Young, I remember his name. ”

He witnessed his twin brother die at the hands of the ice dragon. I had always feared that Vengeance would blind him, but I never expected him to go down the dark path. "I have heard that if a knight falls into darkness, the Sage will know his name. ”

"I know his name because there are only five high-ranking paladins here, and I'm not so old that I can't even remember five names. Felicity sighed, "Well, it's probably only four now." ”

"We still haven't heard anything from Fili Zeri and a few others. ”

“...... Sean, you really shouldn't have let those kids go looking for some ice dragons. ”

"That's their job. ”

The room was silent, except for the gentle sound of running water.

"I don't feel that any knight has turned his back on the path of the Goddess, Sean, if you're here to ask me this. But I do feel the darkness...... It's like the fog that rises on the lake in autumn. I couldn't see through it, and I didn't know if the sunlight would make it dissipate. Felicity's voice grew slow and low as the water flowed, "Find those children, Shaun, even Bye, he is still the knight of the water god until everything is cleared." Ni'o will not give up so easily those who have sworn to fight for her, and we cannot afford to lose any of them. ”

Fetcher nodded solemnly, stood up, and greeted her again.

"Sage. ”

He turned away, not waiting for her to respond.

Felicity stared blankly at the fountain. She had outlived most humans, still healthy, disease-free, and painless, but she knew that her journey into this world was coming to an end.

Passing through the flowing water, she saw a black mist fill the air. She had never felt so uneasy in her long life.

-- It's not time yet.

She told herself.

It's not time yet.

Balach, one of the oldest cities in Anktann, sits on the edge of a forest at the northern end of the Karnak Mountains, perched high on the slopes of Mount Aiken overlooking the Vinez River. It was actually built on the ruins of an orc fortress, and it is said that many bones were excavated during its construction. Orcs, elves, humans, and dwarves were all transported into an abandoned dwarven mine outside the city, and then disposed of one by one. There have been many horror stories, whether true or not, which have gradually become legends that not many people remember after the priests of Anduch built a temple in the city.

The city looks like a mix of orcs and dwarves. Thick, rugged and sturdy, the high walls of the Old Town outweighed even the capital of Anktan, Llewellyn. At that time, humans still needed to defend themselves against the attacks of the orcs, and such a solid defense was necessary, but now, hundreds of years later, many places have begun to show signs of decay. The new town stretches along the hillside to the banks of the Vinez River, and is not guarded by walls, with only a few guards patrolling back and forth.

It is still an important city, but it is nowhere near as good as Llewellyn and Cam, but it is surprisingly open and free in the face of the increasing neglect of its rulers.

Early morning is the busiest time of the market in the west side of the new town. Even in winter, hunters carrying frozen pheasants and silver foxes, hawkers pushing fish carts, women with large pieces of bread in rattan baskets, and thieves with empty hands and wandering eyes...... The narrow streets are still clogged with water.

A tall dark-haired man looked at the bustling crowd at the corner of the street, frowned, and turned to another alley that didn't look so crowded.

He didn't want to be conspicuous, but he didn't want to squeeze around that dirty street with a bunch of stinking Anktans.

It may be the right decision. The silence in the alley made him notice the tail behind him more quickly.

The man tightened his cloak in some agitation, pulling his hat lower, but he couldn't suppress the growing anger in his heart.

He should have walked the wide and smooth roads of the old city with dignity, and he should have been respected and courteous......

He hurried out of the alley without a sound, hiding behind a pile of tattered barrels, and dashed out as the man sneakily following him popped up, grabbed the man by the neck, and dragged him into the shadows.

"Gentlemen, gentlemen, lightly!"

Before he could speak, the man he had caught had already screamed.

The man was slightly stunned, vaguely feeling that the person in front of him was a little familiar.

"Lord Bye Young. The man spoke calmly, "Don't be nervous, I don't have any ill will towards you, I'm just here to send you a message." ”

Baie glared at him gloomily, still not letting go.

"My master, Aaron Mansini, your most faithful friend, would like to see you. He has something important to discuss with you - and he believes it is just as important to you. ”

"Mansini?" Bye furrowed an eyebrow, "why is he here?" ”

He had several connections with the oily nobleman, but he was no friend at all.

"For the same reason as you, my lord. The Messenger's tone remained humble from beginning to end, "Same reason as you. ”.

Aaron Mancini is no longer young. He was in his forties, not tall, with an easy-going, round face, well-groomed brown curls and round black eyes that made him look gentle, friendly, and trustworthy.

But Baie knew how good the guy in front of him was at disguise.

They were in a half-new inn, located on the street closest to the old town, with a view of the towering walls and majestic gates of the old town. That made Bye a little uneasy.

He didn't know where the news had got. There is no temple of the god of water in Balach, but the priests and paladins of Anduch are more than happy to assist in the hunt down of a degenerate......

- No, he's not! Someday he'll make everyone understand!

With a gloomy face, Baie rudely pushed away the glass that Mancini had brought to him, and the amber liquid splashed on the ground, giving off a rich aroma of wine.

"It's a pity, it's a pity, it's an ice crystal from Saenin. Mancini withdrew his hand, seemingly unimpressed.

"How did you find me?" asked Bye bluntly, he was not in the mood to talk to these nobles who were always beating around the bush.

"I have a lot of friends. Mancini smiled, "It's always good to have friends, isn't it?"

That's not an answer at all.

"I know you're still chasing that dragon. Before Beye's anger erupted, Mancini spoke, "Even if it'...... It's admirable when you're in danger yourself. ”

The fugitive Fallen Knight sat there, staring at him with those dark eyes.

He could kill him at any turn, they all knew it.

"Trust me, I serve the same purpose as you. Mancini raised his glass leisurely.

“...... Why are you interested in that dragon?" asked Baie.

"Who wouldn't be interested in it?" Mancini asked with a smile, "that's a dragon!"

His exaggerated tone didn't erode any reaction from Baie.

"You want its life, my lord, and so do I. Mancini shrugged, "And I can help you." I have absolutely no intention of questioning your courage and strength, but I think you yourself are well aware that you can't take on a dragon alone. ”

Baie's eyes flickered, and he couldn't deny it.

"You have money and power, you can find a lot of adventurers who are willing to work for you, why do you want to find me?"

After a moment of silence, he spoke again.

"Because no one is more persistent than you. Mancini flicked his crystal wine glass, "I did pay a few good adventurers, but I needed someone to make sure they did their best." All glory can be to you, my lord, and I only need its corpse. ”

Baie frowned.

"Just as a collection. A small, innocuous hobby. Mancini smiled at him earnestly, "So, my lord...... What do you think?"